Technology+Reflection

Technology Reflection

This page will express my views of technology throughout the rest of the semester


 * __Podcast Episode__**

I think a podcast is a powerful tool in that it can be used in a variety of different situations. Of course it does take a lot of careful preparation and organization, but the outcome is worth the effort. Obviously it is handy to have anything the teacher says in class written down to look at but a podcast allows for all of the written material to be available for the students to actually hear. Some kids are not visual learners and need to hear verbal instructions to understand something better. A podcast can also act as a substitute for when the the teacher is gone from class. A substitute teacher could play a podcast left by the teacher with instructions for the class. A podcast is almost like having a teacher's instructions with you all of the time and can easily be accessed via the internet.

I can definitely see myself using a podcast in my classroom especially for recording directions to assignments or other homeworks. I think that it accommodates for different learning strategies. I know that everybody has different needs when it comes to their education and I think that it is important for a teacher to recognize how to best meet all the needs of their students.


 * __Smartboard__**

Of all the technologies from this course I think the Smartboard was the most fascinating and the most useful. It is definitely the next generation of education technology and I think it opens new doors for students. The Smartboard is basically like any other white board a teacher would write on, but with the ability to display the internet. I think it is the most efficient and convenient way for teachers to integrate all the information of the internet into the classroom.

I think it will be incredibly useful when I am a math teacher. One of the hardest things about math is visualizing some of the concepts. The Smartboard can display any visual representation you can think of. Say you are studying 3-D geometry a very hard concept to visualize on a white board. The Smartboard can display the same 2-D pictures of 3-D objects but with the ability to manipulate the picture like you would a real 3-D object. It is also easier to have all the resources you need for visual aides readily available from the very board teachers will most likely be standing in front of while teaching.


 * __Inspiration/Kidspiration__**

I think that these are really great interactive technologies for students to use in most classes. They are easy to use which make kids want to use them more. During the semester I used Inspiration so I am not familiar with all of the features of Kidspiration but I know the two programs are similar. Inspiration has really creative ways to plan ideas or create charts or trees and it is much quicker to use than say making an outline on Microsoft Word.

I did struggle to find many ways to use Inspiration in a math class setting. I think this software is great for an English or history class or any other class were planning, research, or writing is involved, but I do not see myself using very often in a math class. I could see myself using it for planning purposes but not so much my students.